Sectional form



June 21 1927. 1,632,846

A. J. PENOTE SECTIONAL FORM Filed Nov. 7. 1924 E l: A r 5;; ww ATTORAt') Patented June 21, 1927.

AIl'GUSTUS a. rnno'ra, or CLEVELAND, 01:10.

SECTIONAL FORM.

Application filed November 7, 1924. Serial No. 748,377.

This invention relates to forms used in construction work, especially inman-hole construction of concrete or other suitable cement materialwhich is to bemolded about the form, ordinarily external of the latter.

These forms are usually rectangular and used to make man-holes of thatoutline, and my present invention is a further improvement on my' priorPatent No. 1,316,4 62, issued to me Sept. 16, 1919. It is also like thatstructure in that this form is to be built in sections so that thelatter ma' be readily withdrawn from the interior 0 the 1nan-hole afterthe latter has been formed and even after the cement has set. Alladvantages claimed for my earlier construction as disclosed in saidpatent are gamed in the present improved structure now to be described.

My patented form sections contemplated the use of wood for structuralmaterial, but this has proven to have certain inherent disadvantages,such as the gradual decay when used in damp locations, and Warping ofthe parts, as well as gradual enlargement of apertures in use and a farlarger space required for storage. I have found that thin sheet metal ismuch more satisfactory for general use, but that a modified structurefor the sections used is desirablearrangement of which was notcontemplated when the said patent was issued. By my new and improvedforms I have been able to dispense with the oblique-angled membersbefore employed, and yet the readiness of assembling and manufacturinghas been even accentuated.

lVith these and other objects in view which willbe explainedhereinafter, my invention consists in the described structure set forthin the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a perspective view with a corner broken away, of aman-hole form of three coursesembodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of one end of the form;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section of one corner of the form, theremainder of one end of the form being shown in plan;

Figure 4 is a detail view of a horizontal joint between coursesincluding vertical joints between certain plates of the same courses,and

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

My new and improved form may be built orconstructed in a plurality ofcourses of uniform size and character designed to be superposed whenassembled for operation, and the form here illustrated is represented ascomprising three such courses designated by letters A, B and C,respectively. Each of these courses is made up of rectangular platesfour in number designated by nurreral 10, and each comprising a thinmetal plate having flanges on each of its four sides all inclined atright angles to the main plate. Ordinarily the side flanges 11 areintegral with the plate and bent up from the same, and designed to bepositioned at the upper and lower ed es of the plate in a verticalman-hole. The end flanges are however separate pieces formed as Us orangle bars 12 either riveted or spot-welded to the edge of the mainplate, as shown clearly in Fig. 3. These bars are also rather thin,ordinarily about inch in thickness, as are also the main platesthemselves. These plates 10 are used for the central side plates of thecourses as Well as the end plates, but not for the corner plates, aswill be further explained hereinafter.

The corner sections or plates 13 each comprises a smooth main plate 13and a shorter plate 13 integral therewith but at right angles thereto toform a corner section. The end flanges on these pieces 13" are alsoangle bars 12 secured to the edges of the plates 13, while or sideflanges are angular in plan view an integral with the main plates. Theseare designated in the drawings as 14. These end bars 12 on the shortplates 13 of the corner sections 13 will thereforebe substantiallyparallel with the flanges or bars 12 of the central sections 10. Theywill not however, be strictly parallel, for these bars or Us 12 arenever exactly 90 in cross section. This is a well-known fact as to all Lbars which are supposed to be, approximately a 90 angle-they are all atleast 40 less than 90, and this fact is made use of by applicant indesigning a structure which can be readily disassembled by removing theseveral sections inwardly. This feature will be further explained in thedescription of operation hereinafter.

The side plates 14 or top and botto l n the upper and IOWGH- flange 14integral with plate 13'.

flanges of the corner sections, 13, are formed of two parts, the longerflange 14 being integral with the plate 13", and the shorter Before theplate 13" is bent into its final shape, a V-notch is cut from the sheetfrom which the plate 13 is to be fashioned, so that when the main plateis bent, the lates 14' and 14" are also bent inward an their obliqueedges 15 meet as shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. A plate 16 is then appied immediately beneath the ends of said plates bridging the meetingedges 15, and is spotwelded thereto, as shown in said views. This date16 is of proper size to avoid possible interference with the wedgingplates later to be described.

Between the several sections of a course, metal plates 17 are insertedso that the removal of the same will so loosen the adjacent sectionsthat the latter may beremoved inwardly dismantling the entire form.Theseplates are smooth and thin-usually approximately inch in thickness,there being a separatedivider plate for each joint of each course. Suchplates are used not only between the corner and intermediate sections atthe sides of the form, but also between the corner and end sections ateach end of the form. In assembling the form, the flanges 12 of theadjoining sections and the divider plates 17 are provided with apertures18 registering when the form is set up,

' and bolts 19 are used for securing the three parts together as shownin Figs. 1, 3 and 4'. These bolts have slots 19 therein slightly remotefrom the end and wedge plates 20 are inserted in said slots to tightenthe flanges 12 and divider plates 17 in position;

Cross braces 21 are also provided for strengthening the form when setup, the same comprising metal L-bars which are in two or more sections,which latter are in engagement, face to face, and corresponding flangesof each section have spaced apertures in which locking bolts 22 aresecured to hold the sections together. the braces being thus adjustablein length by applying the bolts in the proper apertures chosen from alarger number than are needed, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

. At the ends of each section, the one flange of the L is folded overthe other flange, as at. 23. as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. to provideflat surfaces parallel with one of the flanges, there being apertures 24in said flat end portions to receive therein the same bolts 19 whichsecure together the divider plates and frame sections, so that the samesecuring means serves to hold the plate sections together as well asbrace the entire structure.

To hold the several courses of my structure in superposed position, artures 25 are provided in the flanges 11 at the plates 10 which aredesigned to receive locking pins 26 to lock flanges of adjacent plates10, the apertures in the difl'erent flan es registering when in properposition. T ese pins may be readil removed when it is desired todismantle t e structure.

A very advantageous feature of my structure is made use of to providemetal hollow sockets in the concrete wall that is molded about this formstructure. Bolts 31 are inserted in apertures 29 of certain plates ofthe-form, the bolts being directed outward with the bolt heads on theinner surface of the plates and the threaded end project:- ing on theoutside. A metallic socket which is to be embedded in the cement wallexterior of the form plates consists of a reduced 1101- low threadedportion 27 which is provided with inner threads of the pro or size toreccive the threaded ends of tie said bolts,

and a larger hollow .portion 28 having an outer closed end, the twoparts 27 and 28 being integral and 28 being intended to be secured inthe cement wall with its larger end preventingaccidental removal. It isevident that if a number of said fixtures be supportedjiy the formexternally thereof while cement is being molded about the same, thesockets 27 and 28 will be securely fastened in the cement casing whenthe coment sets, and will be permanently fixed in the desired position.

For expeditious handling of the plates 17,.

apertures 30 are provided near their inner ed e, as shown in Figs. 4 and5. These enab e the plates to be placed either into position between theform plates, or to be pulled from such position with quite a strongforce when the form is to be dismantled.

In operation, the first or lower course is laid in the earth cavityprovided for the purpose by positioning the side and end sections 10independently with the proper corner sections 13 between, as shown inFig. 1. Divider plates 17 are then forced into position at all thejoints between sections of the course. Then, if braces 21 are to beused, the sections thereof are adjusted by securing therein the bolts 22in the proper apertures to result in the desired length of braces, andthe latter are held in position with the apertures 24 of the braces inregister with theaperturcs 18 of the sections and dividers, so that thebolts 19 may be inserted and the wedges 20 forced into the slots if)" tohold the entire structure in engagement. Sometimes assembled courses maybe lowered into position. The other courses are then laid in superposedposition with the apertures 25 is registration for the reception of thepins 26, thus holding the courses together. As many courses may be usedas needed to attain the required height of the completed form, and acovering is provided by laying cross pieces over the top of the materialmost convenient for the purpose, an opening being provided therein ofthe desired size and shape for permitting entrance to the man-hole orsuch structure which is formed of concrete or other cementitiousmaterial.

In dismantlingthe structure (the form), the bolts .31 are unscrewed fromthe sockets leaving the latter fixed in the hardened cement casing, thusproviding internallythreaded sockets in the surface of the easing, agreat advantage, since it is difficult to bore sockets in the cementwalls after the latter is set, the wedges 20' removed and the bolts 19withdrawn from the braces and flanges, thus releasing the divider plates17 so that by on aging the apertures 30 the plates 17 may e readilyremoved inwardly, it some times being practicable to insert a hand toolin said apertures, such as a hook or a rod, to facilitate the removal.In any case, the fact that the angle of the angle bars 12 is slightlyless than 90 makes the removal and insertion of the plates 17 an easy 0oration. After the removal of those plates, tl ie disengagement of theother parts or sections will evidently be easily accomplished since noappreciable friction is present to oppose the operation. When the partsare separated, they may be readily withdrawn upward through the entranceopening for storage or for transportation to another place where needed.

It is to be understood that the terms sides, ends, upper and lower areused for convenience in description, and are not intended to beconsidered as strictly structural limitations, as the completed form maybe positioned in any desired relation to the surface of the ground whereused, with equal facility.

It is evident that the structure disclosed may be used without thebraces if so desired, and such use is contemplated. Further, while thesections used for the form require only the plates 10 and corner plates13, used with the dividers 17, it is obvious that these may be made ofdifferent sizes, or filler side or end plates may be used, being exactlylike the plates 10 except that the width might be less or greater thanthe standard plates. Vhen more than one side or end plate 10 is used ina course, an additional divided 17 is also used, and in the same way aswhen but one plate 10 is used. This has the advantage therefore that thefiller plates need not be of a different pattern from the standardplates-only a possible variation in their width.

From the above disclosure it is evident that I have invented a compositeform that is wholly of metal and which may be used for molding a casingexternally thereof, thus meeting the requirements for a positive andrigid structure of relatively thin material tions that fall well withinthe spirit and 4 scope of the disclosed invention.

What I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is,

1. A rectangular form for concrete construction work comprising fourcounterpart corner sections and four counterpart intermediate sections,each intermediate section comprising a flat plate, upper and lowermembers and end members which are atan angle to said flat plate, eachcorner section comprising a relatively lon plate, a relatively shortplate making a r1ght angle with the first named, top and bottom membersand two end members which are inclined with respect to the long and theshort plates of the corner section, the said end members of adjacentintermediate and corner sections being slightly out of parallel witheach other, the inner edges of the respective end members beingspacedslightly more than the edges of the respective flat plates and flatdivider plates separating the said end members of the intermediate andcorner sections and engaging them contiguously.

.2. A rectangular form for concrete construction work comprising fourcounterpart corner sections and four counterpart intermediate sections,each intermediate section comprising a flat plate, upper and lower flan'e members and end members which are at su stantially right angles tosaid flat plate, each corner section comprising a relatively long plate,a relatively short plate making a r1ght angle with the first named, topand bottom members which make right angles with the long and shortplates of the corner section and two end members which are inclined toand make acute angles at least twenty seconds less than right angleswith the long and short plates of the corner section, flat dividerplates separating the said end members of the intermediate and cornersections and engaging them contiguo-usly, and detachable securing meansfor binding together the said end members of adjacent sections and thedividing plates therebetween.

3. A rectangular form for concrete construction work comprising fourcounterpart corner sections and four counterpart intermediate sections,each intermediate section comprising a flat plate, end members which areinclined to and make acute anglesslightly less than right angles withsaid flat plate, each corner section comprising a relatively long plate,a relatively short plate makin a right angle with the first named and enmembers which are inclined to and makes angles slightly less than ri htangles with the long and short plates 0 the corner section, and flatdivider plates separating the said end members of the intermediate andcorner sections and engaging them contiguously with tighter bindingaction at the outer edges of the dividerplates than at the inner contactedge.

4. A rectangular form for concrete construction work comprising fourcounterpart orner sections and four counterpart intermediate sections,each intermediate section comprising a flat plate, end members which areinclined to and make acute angles slightly' less than right angles withsaid plate, each corner section comprising a relatively long plate, arelatively short plate making a right angle with the first named and endmembers which are inclined to and make angles slight ly less than rightangles with the long and short plates of the corner section, the anglebetween said end members of adjacent sections when the latter are incontiguity being less than one degree, and flat divider plates havingparallel faces separating said end members, whereby the binding force atthe outer edges of the divider plates is greator than at the contactareas at the inner edges of the end members.

5. A rectangular form for construction work comprising counterpartcorner sections and counterpart intermediate sectlons, each intermediatesection comprising a flat plate and end members which are atsubstantially right angles to said flat plate, there being apertures insaid end members, each corner section comprisin a relatively long plate,a relatively short p ate making a right angle with the first named andapertured end members which are at substantially rightangles to the longand short plates of the corner section, flat divider plates separatingthe said end members of the intermediate and corner sections and havingapertures therein registering with the apertures in said end memberswhen the parts arein cnga ement in substantial parallelism, bracemembers adjustable as to length and provided with apertures near theirends, and detachable bolt members inserted through the apertures intheend members, divider plates and braces, to lock the parts together.

6. A rectangular form for concrete conness of the divider p structionwork comprising counterpart corner sectlons and counterpart intermediatesections, each intermediate section com rismg a flat plate upper andlower flanges mtegral with said late and end members which are atsubstantially right angles to said flat plate, each corner sectioncomprising a relatively long plate, a relatively short plate making aright angle with the first-named, top and bottom flange members and twoand members which are inclined with respect to, and make substantiallyright angles with the short and long plates 'of the corner section, fiatdivider plates separating the said end members of the intermediate andcorner sections and engaging them face to face contiguously, the top andbottom flange members of the sections forming supports and engagmgportions for above specified, anges being rovided with openings adaptedto devices.

7; In a form for molding concrete construction, a rectangular sectioncomprising a flat plate, upper and lower flange members integral withsaid plate and bent at right angles thereto and end flange memberscomprising L-members one of whose angle plates is fixedly secured to aface of said flat plate receive astening superiposed courses of forms.said adj accnt an edge at an end of the latter and the other angle plateof said L-member extends from said flat plate at an angle to said flatplate slightly less than the said end flange members of adjacentsections being slightly more separated at their inner edges than attheir outer edges.

8. In a form for molding concrete construction, a plurality of metalsections each comprising a flat late having attached L- members one of wose lates is fixed to a face of said flat plate adiacent an edge and theother angle late of said L-member extends from said flat plate at anangle thereto, flat divider plates separating the L- members of adjacentsections, the angle which the several extended angle plates makes withthe flat plate, and the thickates being such that the pinching eflect ofthe extended angle plates upon the divider plate will be slightlygreater at the outer edge of the divider plate than at its inner edge,whereby the said divider plates may be the more readily inserted orwithdrawn from between the said L-members. I

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

AUGUSTUS J. PENQTE.

